Ohio voters rejected Sherrod Brown. Two years later, are they ready to give him a second chance?

Drake Maye spent most of the summer preparing for the addition of wide receiver A.J. Brown to the Patriots' offense. However, Brown is currently on injured reserve due to a high ankle sprain sustained in the team's season-opening loss to the Seattle Seahawks. This absence will impact the team's preparations for upcoming games, including their home opener against Pittsburgh.

Coach Mike Vrabel believes that the team's approach will not change drastically due to Brown's injury. He stated, "We’ll have to move guys around to different positions," indicating that adjustments will need to be made.

Romeo Doubs, who was acquired as a free agent, will be taking on a larger role in the Patriots' receiving corps. His performance during Week 1 was lackluster, as he didn't have a catch and dropped a wide-open pass that led to a Seattle touchdown. Despite this, Williams said, "It happens to everybody. We all know what type of player he is. It’s all about brushing it off and worrying about what’s up and coming."

Hollins and Douglas combined for nine catches for 71 yards against the Seahawks. Hollins, who had 46 receptions and 550 yards last season, is expected to see an increase in targets. Vrabel praised Hollins' versatility, saying, "He’s always taking advantage of his opportunities and has established himself as someone who will be in the right spot when he’s supposed to be there."

Doubs had 31 catches for 447 yards in 2025 and has shown the ability to be a deep threat for Maye. Williams, who had only 10 catches last season but averaged 20.9 yards per catch, is ready to take on a more significant role and showcase his skills. He said, "I could give you a Christmas list for real. I could do a lot and just when the opportunity presents itself, I’ve got to show up."